The move split the controlling Labour party and the move was voted down at a crunch meeting in December with Mr Taylor was given just a one per cent pay rise instead.

During the debate, Coun Lambert warned privately that Mr Taylor could move elsewhere if they failed to pay him closer to the £150,000 average yearly salary earned by council chief executive’s in Greater Manchester.

Mr Taylor: “I have put my heart and soul into Rochdale borough and I am grateful to have been given the chance to work in an unbelievable place, where people are so friendly and resilient.

“I will miss Rochdale borough, no doubt about it, but it is rare that a local government job in a city becomes available and I felt I had to take this opportunity.”

Mr Taylor moved to Rochdale from Tameside in 2012, after former chief exec Roger Ellis took voluntary early retirement.

Mr Ellis was later heavily criticised by MPs investigating the council’s handling of the Rochdale grooming scandal.

Coun Lambert said: “Mr Taylor has proved himself to be an excellent and highly skilled chief executive.

“During his time at Rochdale council he remained fully committed to delivering the vision, expertise and innovation needed to drive Rochdale borough forward.

“As an authority we will be extremely sorry to see him go but we wish him the very best in his new role at Salford.

“There will be no immediate change, transition arrangements are being discussed and timescales will be announced subject to agreement.”

Mr Taylor beat off competition from four other contenders to land the job of Salford’s council director.

Mayor of Salford Ian Stewart said the decision to appoint Mr Taylor was unanimous.

He said: “Mr Taylor has the right combination of experience and ability to lead the city council through these tough times.

“I am really looking forward to working with Mr Taylor and our partners to take Salford forward in the 21st century.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who clashed with Mr Taylor over the council’s plans to inflate his salary, added: “I’d like to thank Mr Taylor for the work he’s done and I wish him all the best.

“He came in at a particularly difficult time and I’m sure he’d be the first to admit there remains a huge job of work to be done in Rochdale.

“Looking forward, there is now an opportunity for new leadership in our town and we need someone who can grasp the challenges of jobs, the town centre and building on our strengths to turn the fortunes of Rochdale around.”